The Price of Devotion

Saranya, if you desire freedom, I will instantly sever the chains the Black Witch has imposed upon you, leading you from this realm so you need no longer endure this mortal suffering with her.

Freya, I appreciate your kindness, but I would rather remain by my master’s side; we have… very important matters to attend to here.

Do you still cling to this place? Fear not. Should you agree to accompany me, simply name the time you wish to return, and I will personally see to your escort!

Freya remained persistent, clearly unwilling to abandon her pursuit. It appeared this High Elf Knight, hailing from the Underworld Sea of another realm, was genuinely enamored with her, a mere human warrior.

Um, I apologize, but I still wish to serve my master…

Are you, perchance, the type who revels in carnal indulgence? Hmph, while I hold such pursuits in contempt… still, if you were to require my cooperation… it would not be entirely beyond consideration…

Great heavens above… Saranya truly couldn’t fathom it. She was no succubus, so what exactly about her had so utterly captivated Freya at their very first meeting?!

Freya fanned her twin wings behind her, her toes lightly tapping the ground, as she extended a hand towards Saranya, an air of gentle coercion about her:

Saranya—

Kaelan’s eyes abruptly sharpened with a cold glint. With a flick of her wrist, three black prismatic darts materialized between her fingers, shimmering with a faint, eerie demonic aura as they aimed directly at Freya.

Saranya startled, quickly seizing Kaelan’s small hand.

‘Using magic so openly, her master truly had no concern whatsoever about her witch identity being exposed!’

‘What had gotten into her master? Ever since Saranya’s severe injury, her master’s actions seemed to have grown reckless…’

What, am I not charming enough?

If Freya continued to be so relentless, her actions would undoubtedly cross into harassment, and Saranya was not one to offer a pleasant demeanor to those who harassed her.

Yes, compared to you, my master certainly has more tricks up her sleeve.

Saranya’s face hardened, leaving no room for negotiation, as she rejected Freya in the most irrefutable manner possible.

Hehe…

Paresha let out a muffled giggle from the side. Noticing Saranya’s furrowed brow and displeased expression, she quickly clamped a hand over her mouth, blinking innocently.

Saranya shot Paresha a withering glare, a herd of mythical grass-mud horses (TL Note: ‘Cao Ni Ma,’ a popular internet meme used to express extreme frustration or exasperation) thundering through her mind.

‘Paresha, you’re a summoner of some standing, aren’t you? You should control your familiar! Why aren’t you saying anything? Why are you just standing there? Why do you look so utterly dazed?!’

Kaelan, however, was immensely pleased with Saranya’s attitude. Her lips curved into a smirk as she cast a provocative glance at Freya, her smile tinged with triumph. Yet, she remained unsatisfied; she intended to make Freya abandon all hope.

Little Anya… *tsk-tsk*.

She softly called Saranya’s nickname, subtly pouting her lips, and produced a crisp click with her tongue.

Ah… mm…

Saranya immediately understood, her cheeks flushing as she obeyed the command—

Under the astonished gazes of the onlookers, Saranya bowed, dropping to one knee. She slowly began to remove one of the leather boots from Kaelan’s foot. Her metal gauntlet clinked against the boot’s buckles, and her fingers caressed the slightly damp interior of the boot shaft, feeling the lingering warmth of her master’s body still held within the leather.

Master, please allow me…

Mm…

Having received her master’s permission, Saranya set the boot aside and cradled Kaelan’s exposed, delicate foot.

‘My master truly dislikes wearing socks…’

Those small feet were pristine, petite, moist, and flushed with a delicate rosy hue.

She extended her pinky finger, affectionately tracing the arch of her master’s sole, then tilted her head back, casting a mischievous glance upwards at Kaelan.

Kaelan’s lips parted slightly, exhaling a puff of warm, white breath as she hummed contentedly.

As if utterly oblivious to her surroundings, Saranya indulged in the ‘delicacy’ before her with intoxicated pleasure, her gaze filled with tenderness.

With one palm gently supporting her master’s sole, she lowered her head. Her tongue caressed the smooth top of the foot, then drew closer, lightly inhaling from the side of her master’s subtly trembling arch, her voice as soft as melted beeswax:

Master, Saranya is your devoted s*ave… willing to serve only you…

Ha… mm… very good… extremely good…

Having thus sworn her allegiance, Saranya carefully placed Kaelan’s bare foot back down, slipped the ankle boot back on, and then, with a dazed air, rose to her feet.

From her master’s utterly melted expression, it was clear she had pleased Kaelan immensely.

When she next looked up to find Freya, the noble familiar had vanished, leaving only a disillusioned message echoing softly in the air:

Please… make good use of my strength, and be sure to become a strong warrior.

****

The Companion Combat has concluded. We thank all the esteemed spectators for their presence and support. All candidates and their retainers are requested to proceed to the Moon-Marked Sect’s Sanctuary, where you will receive treatment and partake in a carefully prepared luncheon hosted by the church. This afternoon, we will hold the Theological Debate within the Sanctuary. Both the luncheon and the debate will be closed-door events, and we regretfully cannot permit outsiders to participate. We ask for your understanding.

Following the unexpected interlude, the arena once again buzzed with activity. Members of the Rust Chain Brotherhood swarmed into the field, directing slaves to carry off the wounded and clear the battlefield.

As for who held the advantage in this particular round, Doron on stage made no mention. Until the final results were announced, each voter was expected to make their own judgment. As both host and a voter, Doron was prohibited from imposing his subjective opinions on the audience.

However, after witnessing Paresha’s miraculous summoning of the Pale Moon Goddess’s avatar and Saranya’s victory over the berserk demon-possessed, public perception of their faction had undoubtedly improved significantly. It could be said that Paresha had not only reversed their disadvantaged position but had also gained a considerable lead.

Now, for those voters inclined towards the City Alliance, even if they wished to disregard Paresha’s outstanding performance and forcefully cast their votes for Aivy or Dalia Aurelius, they would first have to consider the immense public pressure from all Vero citizens and think twice before acting.

Paresha wins!

Saranya, Kaelan, and Paresha watched as the wounded temple guards were carried away, then exited the arena, enveloped by the surging crowd.

Master, did you know Freya beforehand? Who exactly is she…?

Our relationship is… strained. However, given her abilities and appearance, she would undoubtedly be the most suitable familiar for Paresha… I simply never imagined that sanctimonious High Elf b*tch would take an interest in you…

A flicker of vexation crossed the witch’s face.

Ah, well, never mind. Regarding her, I’ll find a private moment to explain everything to you.

With that, Kaelan narrowed her eyes at Saranya, her gaze seeming to ensnare one’s very soul, making Saranya’s heart flutter with anticipation.

How about tonight then…? Paresha, could we perhaps borrow your Sanctuary’s VIP room for another night? I adore the velvet bed there; it’s so soft and comfortable~

Upon Kaelan’s request, Paresha’s face lit up with an expression of utter delight, and she nodded repeatedly:

Yes! Of course! Lady Kaelan and Sister Saranya, you may stay as long as you wish!

Well… as for you, Paresha, since you’re so obedient, I suppose I must find a way to repay you…

From Kaelan’s mischievous expression, Saranya detected a hint of something amiss.

True enough, Kaelan’s next words finally extinguished the last flicker of hope in Saranya’s heart:

Paresha, you can stand guard outside the bedroom door for Saranya and me, but you absolutely mustn’t push the door open and disturb us, alright~

Oh… oh.

Kaelan wished to further cultivate Paresha’s submissive tendencies, making her even more compliant, thereby firmly entangling the future goddess official between the two of them.

‘To be honest, Saranya had always felt a pang of pity seeing Paresha like this. She also wasn’t accustomed to having a bystander between herself and her master. Most importantly, she didn’t want her image as a magnificent Legion Commander in Paresha’s eyes to crumble any further.’

‘Perhaps she should secretly report to Phillo, and have the temple guards discipline their young lady?’

Yet, seeing her master so thoroughly enjoying herself, Saranya hesitated.

‘From another perspective, if the three of them maintained this relationship, and Paresha herself had no objections… it seemed, perhaps, probably, not such a major problem?’

Mm…

Alright, Paresha, don’t make such an embarrassed face. Since you’re unwilling—

No! I… I am willing…!

Gazing at Paresha’s flushed face, Saranya lowered her head and let out a long, sorrowful sigh.

‘Poor Paresha, so sweet and lovely on the outside, so brave in love and hate, yet her master was twisting her insides into a pretzel!’